The upcoming documentary, Sly, reveals the origin story behind his character’s name in Rocky. Sylvester Stallone rose from relative obscurity by writing and starring in the 1976 film Rocky as the titular hard-nosed club fighter from Philadelphia who gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot at the world heavyweight championship. Rocky, which became a massive critical and commercial success, launched Stallone’s career as an action star and the upcoming documentary Sly will provide an intimate look at his prolific career.
The documentary Sly, which releases September 10 on Netflix, also reveals the origin story behind the name Rocky Balboa. In a clip from Sly via Rolling Stone, Stallone recalls the first time he arrived in Los Angeles during the 1970s and, after having car troubles and being rescued by Henry Winkler, he ended up living in a dingy, modest apartment in the Valley by Balboa Boulevard. In an interview with Rolling Stone, the documentary’s director Thom Zimny reflected on the story that inspired Stallone to name his character after the street he used to live by:
This story perfectly encapsulated the same themes I observed in Stallone’s early days, which remain relevant today: self-belief, the power of dreams and ambitions, the inherent beauty of making mistakes, and the serendipitous moments of being in the right place at the right time. Sly had a knack for seeing the world as a source of creative inspiration despite the circumstances. Another great example of this was his choice to name a character after Balboa Boulevard, the street where he had a dingy, modest apartment. Stallone had such talent for finding creative inspiration in the world around him.
I hope the audience takes away a new understanding of Sylvester Stallone the man, the filmmaker, and the artist. I wish for them to recognize how Sly’s movies have woven into the fabric of their lives, while also fostering an understanding and appreciation for his work and dedication to storytelling.
How Sylvester Stallone’s Life Inspired Rocky Balboa
Before Rocky launched his career, Stallone was a struggling actor who faced numerous rejections and struggled to make a name for himself in Hollywood. This, in turn, led to a prolonged period of financial difficulty for Stallone, who was even homeless for a brief time. This sense of rejection, in combination with desperation and financial instability, provided the inspiration for Rocky’s struggles and economic challenges in the film. Stallone’s own determination and refusal to give up on his dreams, despite the odds being stacked against him, encapsulates the underdog mentality which is the central theme of Rocky.
The upcoming documentary Sly will chronicle the nearly 50-year career of the iconic actor who starred in franchises like Rocky, Rambo, and The Expendables. Considering how his early struggles in Hollywood inspired him to write and star in Rocky, it’s likely that the documentary will have a heavy focus on his early life in Los Angeles which led to his breakout role as the boxer. Stallone’s roots as a struggling actor, represented by the name of the street he used to live by, will always be present in the name of his most iconic character – Rocky Balboa.
